INTRODUCTION

SUPPORTING EFFECTIVE DRUG EDUCATIONAND PREVENTION INITIATIVES

Referring to the devastating impact of drugs on society, author, humanitarian and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard wrote, “The planet has hit a barrier which prevents any widespread social progress—drugs and other biochemical substances. These can put people into a condition which not only prohibits and destroys physical health but which can prevent any stable advancement in mental or spiritual well-being.” This statement leads to his further assessment of the role substance abuse plays in the disintegration of the social fabric: “Research has demonstrated that the single most destructive element present in our current culture is drugs.”

THE SINGLE MOST DESTRUCTIVE ELEMENT PRESENT in ourCURRENT CULTUREis DRUGS.

Further, Mr. Hubbard’s research in this field brought unparalleled drug rehabilitation solutions to the world. This, in turn, galvanized the Church and Scientologists to initiate the Truth About Drugs, a secular program through which they have worked for more than two decades to empower the millions with the truth about drugs.

The Church and its members are dedicated to eradicating drug abuse through education and invite the participation of all who share the goal of a drug-free world.

Drugs are more than just another social problem. Some 210 million people—at all levels of society—consume illegal drugs. Almost 200,000 die from drugs each year.

The greatest toll is on the young. Every 12 seconds another school-age child experiments with illicit drugs for the first time. Drug use in this age group has risen steadily throughout the past decade and children are exposed to drugs at younger and younger ages.

Drawing on 25 years of experience in drug prevention, the Truth About Drugs program has solved the problem of effectively communicating to teens and young adults the reality of drug abuse, individually and through mass communication.

Both experience and surveys show that teens and young adults are most likely to listen to their peers. Thus the core message is provided by young people—some of whom have gone down the path of addiction and survived to tell the story—who speak to other young people in booklets, public service announcements and a documentary film.

The effectiveness of The Truth About Drugs booklets led to a series of public service announcements, “They Said, They Lied.” with strong depictions of the destructive effects of the most prevalent drugs, the 16 PSAs are contemporary, high-impact communications aimed directly at youth.

These messages can effectively deter first-time drug use and form a vital component of the Truth About Drugs program.

To increase the program’s availability still further, a comprehensive, interactive drug education resource center—DrugFreeWorld.org—provides the full range of information and materials, all available for viewing, downloading or ordering online.

The Church of Scientology International Dissemination and Distribution Center in Los Angeles, California, stands at the heart of the global humanitarian initiatives supported by Churches of Scientology and Scientologists. In addition to generating dissemination materials for the more than 10,000 Scientology Churches, Missions and affiliated groups worldwide, the center produces educational materials for all Church-sponsored humanitarian programs.

The most effective weapon in combating drugs and drug abuse is education. Churches of Scientology and their members have worked in concert with like-minded groups and individuals to bring about a significant change in the global drug problem.

Because of the effectiveness of the educational materials and the impact of the program’s activities wherever it is implemented, the Truth About Drugs campaign commands the respect and support of teachers, health instructors, school counselors, police officers, community leaders, government officials, students and parents.